Motion and Dance as a Type of Therapy With Working With Children/People With Developmental Difficulties

Abstract

Besides the standard treatments that are nowadays used with working with children/people with developmental difficulties and the obligatory aspect of schooling, active free time is also very important for maintaining and improving psychological, motoric and social abilities of children/people with developmental difficulties. Active free time contributes to developing of creativity, satisfaction of one’s own life, personality development, and therefore it improves the quality of life itself. The main aim of this research is observation and assessment of motoric abilities of children/people with developmental difficulties, before and after conducting continuous activities in the form of traditional dance i.e. play games as well as the influence on the quality of life. The evaluation of motoric abilities has been done by defectologists before performing an adjusted work program and after completion, in which, using quantitative and qualitative analysis, the progress has been established in segments such as motoric body control, motion coordination of upper extremities, motion coordination of upper and lower extremities and motion coordination of upper and lower extremities by rhythm. Active participation and cooperation between participants, influenced improvement of social skills and the easier overcoming of problems in the group, creative and active free time and improvement of life quality. Based on obtained result, one should strive to adopt new creative ways of working with children/people with developmental difficulties in order to gain comprehensive holistic and rehabilitation approach.